The Region

Oxnard Man, 27, Fatally Shot by Driver

A 27-year-old man was shot to death on a busy street in Oxnard's La Colonia neighborhood Sunday afternoon in what police believe was a retaliation killing.

About 2 p.m., Jesse Cardenas was walking alone in the 600 block of East 2nd Street when a small car approached. The driver jumped out and fired several shots before fleeing.

"This is somebody who knew who he was looking for," Oxnard Police Sgt. Jim Seitz said of the shooter.

Cardenas, an Oxnard native who grew up hanging out with La Colonia-based gang members on the street where he was shot, bled to death next to the sidewalk, Seitz said.

Word of the killing spread fast through the small Oxnard neighborhood and someone called the family of the victim on the city's west end. Cardenas' mother and sister drove to the scene, authorities said.

Although dozens of residents were on the street at the time of the shooting, Seitz said he has few witnesses and a sketchy motive. Cardenas' gang ties do not appear to be the cause. Seitz will focus on people Cardenas knew and the fact that he was recently released from jail.

Cardenas, who had been staying with his family recently, had not been home in a few days.

Court records show Cardenas had a lengthy criminal history, including a conviction for possessing a controlled substance.

His killing is the 15th homicide this year in Ventura County and the seventh in Oxnard.